I just got my Hallucinogen T-Shirt (olive with fluro-orange. These fluro colours are really piercing your eyes. ).
I really love the Hallucinogen music (as everything where Simon Posford takes part in), but the name “Hallucinogen” is somehow controversial to me, because I do not take drugs and also do not appreciate doing so. I know in the psychedelic scene drugs are really important to almost everyone, as one can hear already in a varity of samples used like the famous “LSD hints to us…” and so on…. So I think the name “Hallucinogen” is intended to point at this direction (perhaps Simon P. himself can say something about that?).
For me it is just perfectly describing the great visual music and the very unique sound of Hallucinogen and I tend not to combine the meaning of music with drugs, although I like tracks like LSD etc… of course. The music and our brain are both so beautiful that I think its a pitty to let it get interfered (or even damage it, as for the brain) by drugs.
This is just my opinion, no one needs to feel insulted here or anything. Just wanted to know, if I am the only one who thinks that way? Of course things are the same for Shpongle and Younger Brother and Celtic Cross and and and… but Hallucinogen is the most obvious example, because of the name.
Have a nice day!
P.S.: Please do not give up Hallucinogen and make a new Album for us!
I wouldn’t worry about it too much. If you really enjoy music that is clearly made for people who take certain drugs, possibly made while under the influence of certain drugs, then fine. It’s music after all. But it would be a bit disingenuous for artists *like* Simon Posford (I certainly would never speak for him on this topic) to say that “the music IS the drug, so don’t bother with the drugs”. That’s the old chestnut the Chemical Brothers trotted out for years. It’s duplicitous really, and not altogether honourable.
I wonder why you take such a hard line on drugs, considering that nearly everything that adults strive for (food, fast cars, sex, travel, pain medication, cocktails, aromatherapy, espresso, etc. etc. etc.) all act on the brain in similar ways to the myriad of psychoactive drugs in existence. I would further question why you would dismiss the millennia of psychedelic drug exploration by millions of people in nearly every society known, past or present, by proffering a simplistic equation of drugs=brain damage. That is a disservice to your own mental faculties. Si P’s long-time collaborator Raja Ram say (I’m paraphrasing here) “look at me, I’ve taken thousands of doses of LSD and I’m fine”. Better than fine really. I have a friend who took LSD when he was a teenager and it triggered his latent schizophrenia. But I also have many more friends, well into their 50s, who take LSD regularly and love what it does for them. Every drug is different and every person is different.
Why can’t it be about both, either singularly, or together. It’s about music. It’s about drugs. It’s about music AND drugs.
It is definitely a hard line approach you take, especially asserting that those who take drugs while listening to psychedelic music (or other music) damage their brains. I would in fact say I am a better, more understanding person for some of the trips I have had while listening to Posford’s and other psychedelic music.
In my opinion, it is to each his own. The music absolutely induces closed eye hallucinations with or without any psychedelic drugs, but for some the experience is made even more spiritual with the inclusion of hallucinogens. Keep in mind, shamans have existed forever, and back in time were respected for their wisdom beyond all others because of their understanding of the VERY psychedelic world we live in. I would almost assert that Simon is one of our modern day shamans, and has created a powerful healing tool for the masses, who can embrace that with hallucinogens for profound, fast acting effects, or choose to do so by closing their eyes and letting the chemicals in their own brains do the work.
With that, I’ll leave my final note by saying to keep in mind that your brain produces DMT when you go to sleep every night, which is one of the most potent hallucinogenic compounds known to man. It is also found abundantly throughout nature and the plant world. Drugs aren’t the problem, it’s the people who abuse them.
I wonder why you take such a hard line on drugs, considering that nearly everything that adults strive for (food, fast cars, sex, travel, pain medication, cocktails, aromatherapy, espresso, etc. etc. etc.) all act on the brain in similar ways to the myriad of psychoactive drugs in existence. I would further question why you would dismiss the millennia of psychedelic drug exploration by millions of people in nearly every society known, past or present, by proffering a simplistic equation of drugs=brain damage. That is a disservice to your own mental faculties. Si P’s long-time collaborator Raja Ram say (I’m paraphrasing here) “look at me, I’ve taken thousands of doses of LSD and I’m fine”. Better than fine really. I have a friend who took LSD when he was a teenager and it triggered his latent schizophrenia. But I also have many more friends, well into their 50s, who take LSD regularly and love what it does for them. Every drug is different and every person is different.
I don’t take drugs either, by the way.
Yeah, I got your point and perhaps I really said it to hard. Let say, there is a risk of brain damage (that is changing the chemical pathways and thus changing ones mind forever, like your example of the schizophrenia). And differ taking from abusing drugs.
Also I think, LSD is not the worst drug that people abuse (actually it is even not as wide-spread as -lets say- Extasy)
Perhaps I am a fraidy cat (or what is it called?), but I leave these experiences to those who dare and appreciate doing so (I might admit, perhaps I am a little bit jealous, because I am curious, but thats the very small part of the equation).
Astrognomix - 20 May 2010 12:32 PM
With that, I’ll leave my final note by saying to keep in mind that your brain produces DMT when you go to sleep every night, which is one of the most potent hallucinogenic compounds known to man. It is also found abundantly throughout nature and the plant world. Cheers.
Yes, and always remember the dose makes the poison. Thats why Glutamate (most important Neuro-Transmitter) is a poison too, although it is produced very much in our body. Of course small doses do the “taste-enhancer” (don’t know how to call it in english), that chinese fast food is famous for (thus related to the “china-syndrome” (or so), which is a glutamate overdose, I think). So if anything is already in our body, it does not mean it can do no harm. It is pretty much the opposite, depending on dose.
Yes, and always remember the dose makes the poison. Thats why Glutamate (most important Neuro-Transmitter) is a poison too, although it is produced very much in our body. Of course small doses do the “taste-enhancer” (don’t know how to call it in english), that chinese fast food is famous for (thus related to the “china-syndrome” (or so), which is a glutamate overdose, I think). So if anything is already in our body, it does not mean it can do no harm. It is pretty much the opposite, depending on dose.
Hate to sound like an American ass, and let me know if i do, but what is the translation for *face-palm*?
...
Maybe my last message wasn’t well enough written. Thought I did a pretty good job, but MSG? Seriously?
i think you hit the nail on the head being, jealous/curious. many people i have run into dont like the trance party scene and their drugs, just because they never get invited. its a world of wonder, whimsy, chance, and mystery, and you have to know the right people to fully get plugged in.
all art that is created by people has psychedelic properties, some people dont need psychedelics to see deep into a song, painting, or any type of media conveying a message. after using lots of lsd i dont really need to use it anymore. i feel i have unlocked parts of my brain that allow me to see/hear/think about artists work in a similar, albeit, less intense way. lsd, cannabis, and mdma have changed/taught me for the better.
i have to agree with jah, every society but our modern society has had an official psychedelic in use. to contact the earth, the universe, and remind us of the connection with everything that is. drug use and music is a great combination for those who love music, but no better than drug use and silence, or drug use and enjoying nature.
all drugs serve a purpose, and a lesson to learn from them, but beyond that they are an escape and if abused can grind your progression as a person to a halt.
when you are ready for them, you will get your chance.
Hate to sound like an American ass, and let me know if i do, but what is the translation for *face-palm*?
...
Maybe my last message wasn’t well enough written. Thought I did a pretty good job, but MSG? Seriously?
What’s the problem? I did not say glutamate was a drug. It was just an example of many others. If you did not get my point, sorry. Also I did not want to argue about drugs here, just wanted (you) to throw in some thoughts (thank you for that). So lets forget about that. Thats offtopic.
slamminsalmon - 20 May 2010 07:25 PM
i think you hit the nail on the head being, jealous/curious. many people i have run into dont like the trance party scene and their drugs, just because they never get invited. its a world of wonder, whimsy, chance, and mystery, and you have to know the right people to fully get plugged in.
As I said this is only a very small part of my thoughts. I like Trance & Goa Parties & the people there. Just do not like the thought that one must get some experience with drugs to be a part of it. And I know, some people think that way.
There are many reasons for my attitude, but as said above I do not want to argue about drugs here.
My point here is, its all about the music for me.
P.S.: I also see now the poll answers are not really fitting in, sorry.
Just do not like the thought that one must get some experience with drugs to be a part of it. And I know, some people think that way.
why does it matter wut other people think? i know people who go to parties for the music, and enjoy themselves immensely. a couple are like me, had their fill of the drugs, and go for their own reasons. some never used drugs.
the people who think you have to use drugs to enjoy psychedelic music are small minded.
if its all about the music, then its all about the music. but if you are curious, its not all about the music, right?
if its all about the music, then its all about the music. but if you are curious, its not all about the music, right?
Yes thats right, of course (please remember that I said “maybe” and “a little bit”). But this is only because all the hints that sometimes seem to advertise doing drugs, what leads us back to the initial question.
I totaly agree with you, one should not care about what other people think about one self (at least foreign people). But sometimes this still comes to my mind anyway.
The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ???? (psyche, “soul”) and d??e?? (delein, “to manifest”), translating to “mind-manifesting”. A psychedelic experience is characterized by the perception of aspects of one’s mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly ordinary fetters. Psychedelic states are an array of experiences elicited by various techniques, including sensory stimulation, sensory deprivation as well as by psychedelic substances. Such experiences include hallucinations, changes of perception, synesthesia, altered states of awareness, mystical states, and occasionally states resembling psychosis.
use what you want to achieve this state, be it music, drugs or jacking off whilst being choked by a elephants trunk in Borneo!!!
peace love and respect!!!!!!!
I can’t speak for other artists, but I know that when I make music there’s always a conscious effort to tweak the ear candy in a way that pulls people into their own trip and engages them there.
That said, I make it a rule to not do drugs while working on a song (it’s really hard to route even the simplest signal-flow).
That said, my experiences with drugs allow me to choose what I believe are “complimentary colors” for the particular “canvas” I’m working on at the time.
Finally, having said the above - my favorite thing to do while tripping is listen to a cohesive album and just follow the story as the artists journey with me through their craft. That’s what I try to emulate, and Simon has few peers in that department.
For me Shpongle and Hallucinogen really changed the way I percieve music and sounds as result of listening to them on acid. I *got it* when I was on drugs.
However, I seldom trip anymore, even at psychedelic parties. Maybe I shall again someday. It is true the experience isn’t really the same without psychedelics. That said, I feel like now that I get what the scene is about, and what is going on in the music, chemicals aren’t really necessary anymore. I just have to dance harder and longer. Psychedelics open doors, but when you get better at tuning in yourself you find them necessary less and less often…unless you need to get really far out.
If you can appreciate the music without drugs then that is good. Maybe you are a step ahead of where I was. Though I should say, you might not be getting the full experience.
I guess I would conclude that the music *can* be the drug, but generally people that say this have already done the drugs in the past.
Simon said in one of his interviews that he chose the name hallucinogen because he wants ppl to hallucinate the hallucinations he did . In other words, communicate his hallucinations through music. Rock on!
When I was in my teens I loved posford’s music, and fell in love with many other artists who were all about the psychedelic stuff (namely LSD). At the time, I had no idea what LSD was or any other psychoactive substance, I was a total chess-playing computer-geek who did a lot of math and physics and that sorta stuff, but the music still intrigued me. Today I can clearly say my observation on “drugs” was ill-conceived and was based on ignorant and popular beliefs. So, to you, Markophag, I will say: if your brain feels stimulated by this music, you will MOST LIKELY find urself in great affinity with psychedelics. Try them - and be responsible, respectful and knowledgeable about when u do. You might have some keyholes perfectly made for them in ur brain…
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